Consulting Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2024, between the Company and Michael Mason

Contract Categories: Human Resources - Consulting Agreements
EX-10.2 3 d883504dex102.htm EX-10.2 EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

This Consulting Agreement (the “Agreement”), effective as of the Effective Date (as defined herein), is entered into between Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (the “Company”) and Michael Mason (the “Consultant”). The Consultant and the Company are referred to in this Agreement individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to engage the Consultant to provide certain advisory and other consulting services to the Company, and the Consultant wishes to provide such services to the Company, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and of the mutual covenants set forth in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1.

Engagement and Performance of Services. The Company hereby engages the Consultant to perform the consulting services as described under the heading Services in Exhibit A (the “Services”). The Consultant shall perform the Services remotely unless the circumstances specifically require that the Consultant be present at the Company’s facilities, or at other locations as mutually agreed upon by the Parties. The Services may be provided by telephone or video conference or as otherwise agreed by the Parties. In performing the Services, the Consultant shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations and shall perform Services in a manner that is consistent with relevant industry and professional standards.

 

2.

Consideration. In full consideration of the Services performed and rights granted by the Consultant under this Agreement, and for so long as the Consultant provides Services to the Company pursuant to this Agreement, any and all outstanding and unvested equity awards granted to the Consultant by the Company will continue to vest and be exercisable in accordance with the applicable equity plans and award agreement. In addition, the Company shall reimburse the Consultant for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred or paid by the Consultant, at the Company’s request and with the Company’s prior written approval, in connection with the Consultant’s performance of the Services, subject, however, to any applicable Company expense policy provided to the Consultant. In addition, the Company shall pay to the Consultant a consulting fee of $400 per hour worked (as requested by the Company) after the fifth hour worked in any calendar month, payable in arrears on the last day of each month.

 

3.

Relationship of Parties. The Consultant shall perform the Services as an “independent contractor” and not as an employee or agent of the Company. The Consultant is not authorized to assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, on behalf of, or in the name of, the Company or to bind the Company in any manner. The Consultant shall not be entitled to any benefits, coverage or privileges, including, without limitation, social security, unemployment, medical or pension payments, made available to employees of the Company; provided, however, and for the avoidance of doubt, that the foregoing shall not restrict the Consultant from receiving any benefits pursuant to the Transition Agreement by and between him and the Company (the “Transition Agreement”). The Consultant will be fully responsible for all taxes, contributions and insurance coverage applicable to the Consultant, other than as described in the Transition Agreement.

 

1


4.

Non-Disclosure, Inventions Assignment, Non-Competition, and Non-Solicitation Obligations.

 

  (a)

The Consultant acknowledges and reaffirms the obligations set forth in the February 25, 2019 Non-Disclosure, Inventions Assignment, Non-Competition, and Non-Solicitation Agreement by and between the Consultant and the Company (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”). For purposes of the Restrictive Covenants Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the Business Relationship between the Parties will continue for the term of this Agreement and the Consultant’s obligations pursuant to the Restrictive Covenants Agreement will continue for the duration of such Business Relationship, and as applicable, for twelve (12) months thereafter.

 

  (b)

Scope of Disclosure Restrictions. Nothing in this Agreement, including this Section 4, or elsewhere prohibits or restricts the Consultant from (i) communicating with, or voluntarily providing information the Consultant believes indicates possible or actual violations of the law to, local, state or federal government agencies (including but not limited to the Securities & Exchange Commission), any legislative body, law enforcement, or any self-regulatory organizations or from making any other disclosures that are statutorily protected by the law of the state in which the Consultant resides. The Consultant is not required to notify the Company of any such communications. Further, notwithstanding the Consultant’s confidentiality and nondisclosure obligations, The Consultant is hereby advised as follows pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act: “An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. An individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.”

 

5.

Use of Third Party Facilities or Property. Except as the Company may otherwise consent in writing, the Consultant agrees not to make any use of any funds, space, personnel, facilities, equipment, employees or other resources of a third party, in performing the Services, nor to take any other action that would result in a third party owning or having a right in the results of the Services or the Inventions. Without limiting the foregoing, the Consultant agrees that it will not utilize in the performance of any Services or incorporate into any deliverables or materials provided to the Company: (i) any confidential

 

2


  information of the Consultant or any third party; or (ii) any technology, materials, know-how or inventions, covered by proprietary rights of the Consultant or any third party, except as the Consultant is freely permitted to do without further compensation by the Company to the Consultant or any third party. In the event the Consultant incorporates any proprietary know-how, materials, inventions or technology of the Consultant into any Inventions or deliverables or other results of Services, the Consultant hereby grants to the Company a perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up license (with a right to grant sublicenses) under the Consultant’s intellectual property rights in such know-how, materials, inventions or technology solely to the extent necessary for the Company to utilize the Inventions or deliverables or other results of Services for any purpose.

 

6.

Record Retention and Storage. In no event shall the Consultant dispose of any records or files generated by the Consultant in the course of providing Services (the “Records”) without first giving the Company sixty (60) days’ prior written notice of the Consultant’s intent to do so and an opportunity to have the Records transferred to the Company. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6 to the contrary, the Consultant may retain copies of the Records to the extent necessary for compliance with applicable law or regulatory requirements, subject to the Consultant’s continuing obligations of confidentiality and restrictions on use under this Agreement, and the Company’s right to access such retained Records, and have copies made upon reasonable notice to the Consultant.

 

7.

Representation, Warranties and Covenants.

 

  (a)

No Conflict. The Consultant represents that, except as the Consultant has disclosed in writing to the Company, the Consultant is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any employer or other party which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. The Consultant further represents that the Consultant’s performance of the Services, and the grant of rights specified in this Agreement, do not and will not conflict with, or breach any, agreement with any prior or existing employer or other entity (including without limitation any non-disclosure or non-competition agreement), and that the Consultant will not disclose to the Company or induce the Company to use any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any employer or others unless the Consultant has a license to use such information and materials and to allow the Company to use such information and materials.

 

  (b)

No Debarment. The Consultant has not been, and is not under consideration to be, excluded, suspended, debarred or otherwise declared ineligible to participate in federal healthcare programs, federal procurement or non-procurement programs, or from any other activities or programs related to the Services contemplated by this Agreement, including debarment under the provisions of the Generic Drug Enforcement Act of 1992, as amended from time to time.

 

3


  (c)

No Use of Name. Unless the Company otherwise consents in writing, the Consultant shall not disclose to a third party the contents of the negotiations and discussions resulting in this Agreement; provided, however, Consultant may provide the Consulting Agreement and the Restrictive Covenants Agreement, as modified by the Transition Agreement, to a prospective future employer. Neither Party may use the other Party’s name in any form of advertising or promotion, including press releases, without the prior written consent of the other Party, except the Company may disclose that it has engaged the Services of the Consultant and may describe the nature of the Services. The provisions of this Section 7(c) shall not restrict a Party’s ability to use the other Party’s name in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the United States Food and Drug Administration, or other governmental agencies, when required by applicable law or regulation to do so.

 

  (d)

Not Employment Contract. The Consultant acknowledges that the Consultant is not an employee of the Company, that this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment and does not imply that the Company will continue this Agreement in effect for any period of time beyond its terms.

 

8.

Consultation Period; Termination.

 

  (a)

Consultation Period. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date following the Consultant’s separation from employment with the Company (such that there shall be no gap in the Consultant’s business relationship with the Company) (the “Effective Date”) and shall continue in effect until March 1, 2025 unless earlier terminated (x) at any time upon the mutual written consent of the parties hereto or (y) by either Party as set forth in Section 8(b) below (the “Consultation Period”). For the avoidance of doubt, however, the Consultation Period shall not commence, and this Agreement shall be null and void, if, the Consultant does not sign the Transition Agreement, or, as specified in the Consultant’s Transition Agreement, the Consultant’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the Resignation Date (as defined therein) either (x) by the Consultant without Good Reason (as defined therein) or (y) by the Company for Cause (as defined therein).

 

  (b)

Termination. The Consultant may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company. In addition, either Party may terminate this Agreement upon fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the other Party if such other Party has materially breached this Agreement and fails to cure the breach within sixty (60) days of notice being effectively given pursuant to Section 9 hereof. In the event of termination by either Party as permitted under this Agreement, the Company shall direct the Consultant as to whether the Consultant shall stop performing the Services immediately or shall continue such performance for all or part of the applicable notice period.

 

  (c)

Survival. The termination or expiration of this Agreement shall not affect the rights or obligations which have accrued prior to the effective date of such termination or expiration. Sections 4, 6, 7(c), 8, and 12 of this Agreement shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.

 

4


9.

Notice. All notices required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing. Notices shall be given by: (a) delivery in person; (b) by first class mail with confirmation of delivery, or overnight courier with confirmation of delivery, to, in the case of Consultant, to the address on file for the Company, and in the case of the Company, to 85 Wells Ave, Newton, MA 02459, or for either Party, at such other address as the recipient may specify in writing under this procedure; or (c) by email with confirmation of read receipt. Notices will be deemed to have been given (i) three (3) business days after deposit in the U.S. mail with proper postage for first class registered or certified mail prepaid, return receipt requested; (ii) one (1) business day after being sent by a nationally recognized courier service for next day delivery; or (iii) confirmation of read receipt of email. In case of email Notice, if confirmation of read receipt is not returned, notices must be sent by overnight courier. Notices to the Company must be marked “Attention: Chief Executive Officer” with a copy to the Chief Human Resources Officer.

 

10.

Assignment; No Subcontracting. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The Consultant may not assign, subcontract or delegate any of the Consultant’s rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign this Agreement to any of its affiliates or to any successor by law or by merger, acquisition or sale of assets, provided that any such assignee shall assume all obligations of the Company under this Agreement.

 

11.

Severability. Each and every provision set forth in this Agreement is independent and severable from the others, and no provision will be rendered unenforceable by virtue of the fact that, for any reason, any other provision may be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, that provision will be appropriately limited and reformed to the maximum extent provided by applicable law. If the scope of any restriction contained herein is too broad to permit enforcement to its full extent, then such restriction will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law so as to be judged reasonable and enforceable. If, as a result of the unenforceability of a provision or any limitation on enforceability, the intent of the parties in entering into this Agreement is materially affected, the parties will negotiate in good faith to amend this Agreement to as close as possible implement the original intent of the parties.

 

12.

Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without reference to the state’s conflict-of-laws principles.

 

13.

Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties pertaining to its subject matter; provided, however, that this Agreement does not supersede any obligation by any individual who was formerly employed by the Company. For clarification, but not limitation, this means that if there is a conflict between Sections 4, 5, or 6 of this Agreement, on the one hand, and any agreement regarding confidentiality, inventions assignment, non-solicitation, and/or non-competition obligations for a former employee of the Company, including, without limitation, the Restricted Covenant Agreement, such conflict will be resolved in the manner most protective of the Company.

 

5


14.

Waivers. No delay or omission by a Party in exercising any right under this Agreement will operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver or consent given by a Party will be effective only if contained in a written document signed by such Party. A waiver or consent given by a Party on any one occasion is effective only in that instance and will not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any right on any other occasion.

 

15.

Amendments. No amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both Parties.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Consultant have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the Effective Date.

 

KARYOPHARM THERAPEUTICS INC.     CONSULTANT:
By:  

/s/ Richard Paulson

    By:  

/s/ Michael Mason

Name: Richard Paulson

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

    Name: Michael Mason

 

7


Exhibit A

 

I.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The Consultant shall provide assistance to the Company, as from time to time reasonably requested by the Chief Executive Officer in any area related to, among other areas, the financial or information technology matters of the Company and its subsidiaries.

The Consultant shall devote up to 15 hours per month to providing Services.

 

8